Cost of Living in Ireland

Cost of Living in Ireland

With its range of world-class universities and higher education programs, Ireland is a popular destination for students looking to take their studies international. Students are drawn to the country that not only offers renowned education and degrees, but also provides a wealth of employment opportunities post-graduation.

Students in the arts and humanities will find themselves surrounded by individuals inspired by the impressive history of literature and fine art stemming from the country, while those in harder sciences, technology, and medicine can benefit from potential employment opportunities with some of the largest and most influential companies in the world, many of which have offices in the country.

Ireland uses one of the strongest currencies on the planet – the European Euro, which has a ration of 1 Euro to 1.15 US Dollars. As a student, this means that the cost of living is potentially higher than in other study destinations like Malaysia and Turkey.

However, this should not necessarily hinder the cost-conscious student, who will find a myriad of scholarships and all-inclusive programs on the Emerald Island. Plus, the strong currency provides even more opportunity for those who see the country as a long-term opportunity for employment.

So, what exactly should students in the country expect to spend? On average, here is what you should plan for:

One Year of Studying in Ireland

Depending on a student’s field of study, level of degree, or scholarship opportunity, the annual cost of tuition will fall within a rather large range. While each will certainly impact the final cost of studying, it seems that the field of study has the largest overall influence: what a student decides to focus on in university can determine whether they pay as little as €10,000 or as much as €52,000 in tuition, annually.

There is good news for students of all interests and passions, though, including the fact that many schools in Ireland include the cost of housing, textbooks, tuition, and meal plans. This means that students will have no required cost outside of their tuition, aside from transportation and nightlife.

Overall Cost of Living in Ireland

Much like cost of study, the cost of living in Ireland will vary based upon a variety of factors. Location within the country, type of housing, interest in nightlife, and other personal decisions made by each respective student will all directly affect his or her cost of living on a day-to-day basis. Living on-campus or with a group of people, choosing to live and study in smaller towns rather than larger metropolitan cities, and limiting the number of pints at the local pub can all help students save money.

Ireland falls near the top of the list of the most expensive countries in the world, settling at 14th place. Its four biggest cities all fall within the top 150 most expensive cities in the world, with Limerick topping the list at 32, followed by Dublin at 46, Cork at 114, and Galway at 146. However, students from across the globe flock to the country, and its high quality of education and life are well worth the money.

For a quick list of what to expect when living Ireland, see the chart below: